Research Projects

Our group is very interested in the effects of pediatric obesity on the development of knee disorders in kids and osteoarthritis later in life. We have used magnetic resonance images to generate three-dimensional finite element models and to characterize localized injuries in the proximal tibia.

We have evaluated custom MR imaging coils that allow us to characterize the growth of the knee joint in small experimental animals. Comparisons to mechanical testing will help us use these images for development of computational models of the knee joint to study the effect of biomechanics on growth.

In the knee, the menisci play an important role in distribution of forces onto the articular cartilage. However, their complex structure, numerous attachments and nonlinear material properties present significant challenges for biomechanical modeling.

We are interested in understanding the biomechanics of the knee in deep flexion. Magnetic resonance (MR) images are used to identify bone segments, and a motion tracking algorithm developed by VirtualScopics, LLC is used to quantify joint motion between sequential MR scans.

Our computational models rely on the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques, with special sequences and surface coils developed by our collaborators at the Rochester Center for Brain Imaging. With these techniques, we can capture not only the definition of the boundaries between tissues, but also information about the bone structure underlying the cartilage surfaces.

Osteoarthritis and knee pain are common disabilities that interfere with daily activities and exercise in millions of people, however understanding the specific risks for each individual remains challenging. We know that post-menopausal women, people who are overweight, and those who have experienced a knee injury are at greater risk, but there are many interactions between the biological and mechanical factors involved in these risks.